Mardi Gras is a traditional celebration in many parts of the world. In the United States Mardi Gras begins on the Tuesday before Ash Wednesday and continues until Ash Wednesday. Mardi Gras is traditionally filled with parties, food and fun. There are parades, dancing, games and of course eating. Kids can join in the fun by making a mask, playing Doubloon Toss or playing Pass the Baby.
Mardi Gras Masks
It is an important tradition for people who are celebrating Mardi Gras to wear a mask. Sometimes a mask is worn as part of a costume and sometimes just a mask. This tradition allows partiers to be anonymous and pretend to be anything they want. This craft will show kids how to make a basic mask that they can modify to fit their personality or any costume they may want to create for the occasion.
Items Needed
Paper plate
White card stock paper
Construction paper
Scissors
Glue
Beads
Feathers
Glitter
Single hole punch
Elastic string
1.Trace a paper plate circle onto the card stock paper. This gives a good size mask to start with. Mardi Gras masks are often very elaborate and it is a good idea to plan out ideas before making the mask.
2.The card stock can be cut into any shape or left as a circle according to the imagination of the child. Draw on the eyes and cut out these holes before continuing. Identify what colors will be used, what accessories will be used and where they will be placed.
3.Cut a hole on each side of the mask and tie one side of the elastic string in one hole. Hold the mask up to the face and measure the elastic string so that the mask will be held tightly to the face. Cut and tie the other end of the string to the hole in the opposite side of the mask.
4.Add beads, feathers, glitter or cut shapes from the construction paper to glue to the face of the mask. Don't cover the eyeholes.
5.Allow all of the glue to dry before wearing.
Dubloon Toss
Often part of Mardi Gras parades is throwing beads and fake gold coins to the crowd. Kids can have fun with this by using these coins in a game of their own. Each player should have the same number of coins to start with. Set up cups or some type of container at least 2 feet away from the participants. Each must try to toss as many of their gold dubloons into the cup as possible. The person who gets the most in wins the round. For every round move the cups or containers further away. Keep moving them until no one is able to get any of their coins in the containers.
Pass the Baby
This game comes from the tradition of baking a toy baby into cakes during Mardi Gras. The person who finds the baby in the cake is rewarded with good luck.
Kids will need to sit in a circle so they can easily pass a doll to the person on their left. Have some music ready and while the music is playing the participants must pass the baby doll to each other. Whoever is holding the baby when the music stops is out. Continue playing until only one person remains. This is the winner and can be crowned king.
These are just a few ideas for fun Mardi Gras activities for kids of all ages.
Mardi Gras Masks
It is an important tradition for people who are celebrating Mardi Gras to wear a mask. Sometimes a mask is worn as part of a costume and sometimes just a mask. This tradition allows partiers to be anonymous and pretend to be anything they want. This craft will show kids how to make a basic mask that they can modify to fit their personality or any costume they may want to create for the occasion.
Items Needed
Paper plate
White card stock paper
Construction paper
Scissors
Glue
Beads
Feathers
Glitter
Single hole punch
Elastic string
1.Trace a paper plate circle onto the card stock paper. This gives a good size mask to start with. Mardi Gras masks are often very elaborate and it is a good idea to plan out ideas before making the mask.
2.The card stock can be cut into any shape or left as a circle according to the imagination of the child. Draw on the eyes and cut out these holes before continuing. Identify what colors will be used, what accessories will be used and where they will be placed.
3.Cut a hole on each side of the mask and tie one side of the elastic string in one hole. Hold the mask up to the face and measure the elastic string so that the mask will be held tightly to the face. Cut and tie the other end of the string to the hole in the opposite side of the mask.
4.Add beads, feathers, glitter or cut shapes from the construction paper to glue to the face of the mask. Don't cover the eyeholes.
5.Allow all of the glue to dry before wearing.
Dubloon Toss
Often part of Mardi Gras parades is throwing beads and fake gold coins to the crowd. Kids can have fun with this by using these coins in a game of their own. Each player should have the same number of coins to start with. Set up cups or some type of container at least 2 feet away from the participants. Each must try to toss as many of their gold dubloons into the cup as possible. The person who gets the most in wins the round. For every round move the cups or containers further away. Keep moving them until no one is able to get any of their coins in the containers.
Pass the Baby
This game comes from the tradition of baking a toy baby into cakes during Mardi Gras. The person who finds the baby in the cake is rewarded with good luck.
Kids will need to sit in a circle so they can easily pass a doll to the person on their left. Have some music ready and while the music is playing the participants must pass the baby doll to each other. Whoever is holding the baby when the music stops is out. Continue playing until only one person remains. This is the winner and can be crowned king.
These are just a few ideas for fun Mardi Gras activities for kids of all ages.
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